The environmental impact of avocados was thrust into the spotlight recently by none other than celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh – so should we all be cutting down on the nutritious tropical fruit?

Many avocado lovers feel the pain of slicing into their breakfast favourite, only to be met with a browned and spoiled interior. Avocados will spoil fast if they are not stored correctly.

Problems may include skin cracking, split pits, and skin russeting. The last one is the easiest, so I will start there. Russeting of nectarine fruit is usually caused by the feeding activity of thrips ...